Partial Lepidopteran Taxonomy

The taxonomy of moths has been changing dramatically in recent
decades. It is claimed that the three largest superfamilies of
Lepidoptera are the Noctuoidea, Geometroidea and Pyraloidea. The
Pyraloidea are currently said to include the two families Pyralidae
and Crambidae, and may comprise about 16000 species worldwide (see
this
reference).

This partial taxonomy is geared towards the most commonly visible
lepidoptera in Mumbai. Tussok moths, silk moths, etc are not included.

Clade Macroheterocera

This clade was previously called macrolepidoptera; the older term may still
be used to denote polyphyletic groups of larger moths and butterflies.

This contains the family Sesiidae (clear-wing moths, 1397 species),
Cossidae (971 species) and 5 other families. There is some discussion
on whether this superfamily is monophyletic or not, and whether it
needs to be merged with superfamily Zyganoidea in order to achieve
monophyly.

Superfamily Pterophoroidea

This contains the single family Pterophoidae, the plume moths
(1318 species).